How do I know if a keyword is too competitive?

DAWGS

DAWGS

Newbie
Joined
Jul 1, 2026
Messages
21
Reaction score
17
I'm still learning SEO and I'm confused about keyword difficulty. Sometimes a keyword looks easy, but the search results are full of big targeting as a beginner?
 
Advertise on BHW
It is difficult to know the real difficulty of a keyword to rank without having good paid tools. Try to use keyword research tools which helps with research of keywords for the websites. I have experienced help with good paid keyword research tools.
 
As a beginner, focus on very long and specific phrases. Big websites usually do not waste time targeting these ultra-niche topics, making it much easier for a brand new blog to win.
 
Don't only trust keyword difficulty scores. Search the keyword yourself. If the first page has big websites with strong content, start with longer and more specific keywords instead.
 
keyword difficulty can be misleading sometimes, so check the serp. if too many big authority sites are targeting it, it is going to be too hard to rank. your best move is to target a long-tail version of that keyword.
 
DAWGS said:
I'm still learning SEO and I'm confused about keyword difficulty. Sometimes a keyword looks easy, but the search results are full of big targeting as a beginner?
Click to expand...
Long tail keyword are the safest start
 
DAWGS said:
I'm still learning SEO and I'm confused about keyword difficulty. Sometimes a keyword looks easy, but the search results are full of big targeting as a beginner?
Click to expand...
There are so many YouTube tutorials available for free. Check it out. It's not a complicated thing, you can learn it in a day. Take a look at it
 
To make it short: you need some analizers like ahrefs or semrush. You need to check the website, its link profile, competitor page link and content profile.
 
Don’t just trust keyword difficulty by itself. Take a look at what is actually showing up in the search results. If you are a beginner, focus on long tail phrases with lower competition, a clear kind of search intent, and pages similar to yours that are already on the first page. If the top results seem stuck with huge authority sites, then it’s usually wiser to go for a more precise keyword.
 
Check the first page of results. If it’s mostly big brands and high-authority websites, the keyword is likely too competitive. Start with niche, long-tail keywords instead.
 
DAWGS said:
I'm still learning SEO and I'm confused about keyword difficulty. Sometimes a keyword looks easy, but the search results are full of big targeting as a beginner?
Click to expand...
Honestly, keyword difficulty isn’t that reliable on its own. The easiest way is just to check the search results. If the top is full of big sites like Wikipedia, Reddit, or strong brands — it’s probably too competitive for a beginner. But if you see smaller blogs, weak content, or videos with low views — you’ve got a chance.
 
I have started checking the actual search results before trusting any seo tool. Sometimes a keyword looks easy on paper,but the competition tells a different story
 
DAWGS said:
I'm still learning SEO and I'm confused about keyword difficulty. Sometimes a keyword looks easy, but the search results are full of big targeting as a beginner?
Click to expand...
If the tools are misleading, only way is to work on it. Based on SEO experience , you will find out how hard it is to rank.
 
A simple way to look at it is not to rely only on the keyword difficulty score. Check the search results yourself . If the first page is dominated by strong ,well established websites , it may be better to target a more specific long tail keyword where you have a better chance to rank.
 
I usually start with Semrush to get a rough idea of the keyword difficulty, but I don't rely on that score alone. I also look at the search results manually. If the first page is dominated by strong, established websites, I usually look for a less competitive variation first.
 
I have stopped relying on numbers alone.If i see mostly big brands on page one, I normally keep searching for another keyword that is bit easier to compete with.
 
According to me, the search results matter more than the keyword difficulty score. I generally check whether smaller websites are already ranking on the first page. If it is only big brand and high authority sites, I move to a more specific keyword with clearer search intent. I think, you should not rely on the keyword difficulty alone. You should also check the SERP manually.
 
DAWGS said:
I'm still learning SEO and I'm confused about keyword difficulty. Sometimes a keyword looks easy, but the search results are full of big targeting as a beginner?
Click to expand...
domain authority does not matter anymore. should the top page content not be up to date or offer the optimal solution according to the search intent the dificulty level could very well be below that which the tool show.
 
Advertise on BHW
You must log in or register to reply here.
Sign up now!

Main Menu

Home Main Forum List Black Hat SEO White Hat SEO BHW Newbie Guide Blogging Black Hat Tools Social Media Downloads

Marketplace

Account Selling Content / Copywriting EBooks / Methods Hosting Misc Proxies For Sale SEO - Link building SEO - Packages Social Media Social Media - Panels Web Design More

Making Money

Affiliate Programs Hire a Freelancer IM Journeys Making Money Pay Per Click Site Flipping Want to Buy

BlackHat World

Dispute Resolution Forum Suggestions & Feedback Introductions Lounge
Back
Top